Amiibo Collector’s Checklist: Which Figures Unlock ACNH Splatoon and Zelda Content

Hook — Skip the guesswork: which Amiibo actually unlock Splatoon and Zelda items in ACNH (and where to buy them without getting scammed)

If you’re tired of hunting conflicting lists and overpriced auctions just to unlock that Splatoon sofa or the Hylian mantle in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, this is the checklist you need. As of Nintendo’s 3.0 content wave (early 2026), Splatoon- and Legend of Zelda–themed items in ACNH are gated behind Amiibo scanning — but not every figure is equally useful, rare figures lurk on secondary markets, and prices and restocks have been volatile since late 2024. Below you’ll find a clear compatibility breakdown, in-game unlock expectations, hands-on authenticity checks, price trackers, and the best places to buy both common and rare figures without getting burned.

Quick TL;DR (Inverted Pyramid — most important first)

• Compatibility: ACNH recognizes official Splatoon-series and Legend of Zelda-series Amiibo. Scan any figure from those official product lines to unlock themed furniture, clothing, and catalog entries.
• Where to buy safely: First choice: official retailers (Nintendo Store, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, Walmart). Next: reputable secondary marketplaces with buyer protection (eBay, Mercari, StockX) and specialty import shops (AmiAmi, Play-Asia) for region exclusives.
• Pricing guide: Retail new figures usually $12–$25. Common resale: $20–$60. Limited/rare runs: $80–$300+ depending on rarity and condition.
• Authentication: Amiibo are NFC-based and region-free. Test on your Switch before buying when possible; inspect packaging, NFC feel, and seller history.

Why this matters in 2026 — trends you need to know

From late 2024 through 2025 the Amiibo market shifted: Nintendo reprints of popular lines and renewed crossover drops (Sanrio, LEGO collaborations and the ACNH 3.0 content wave in early 2026) created spikes and dips in availability. Collectors who waited on drop restocks often saw prices fall, while one-off exclusives and event variants got more expensive. Marketplaces tightened counterfeit detection and buyers became savvier about NFC tests — both good news for collectors who follow a checklist and use price trackers.

Compatibility Checklist — Which Amiibo unlock Splatoon and Zelda content in ACNH

ACNH (post-3.0) unlocks themed items when you scan an official Amiibo from the respective franchise lines. Below is a practical compatibility list organized by series rather than exhaustive SKU numbers — because Nintendo releases variant runs often and region-specific packaging changes. Use this as your decision map when buying.

Splatoon-series Amiibo (what to buy)

• Official Splatoon Amiibo lines — including Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy, Inkling Squid, Callie, Marie, Octoling variants, and the Splatoon 3 product runs — are recognized by ACNH to unlock Splatoon-themed furniture, apparel, and decor.
• Any official Splatoon-branded Amiibo (first- and second-run figures) will trigger the Splatoon item unlock in-game. The differences are cosmetic/collectible — for unlocking, the series is what matters.

Legend of Zelda-series Amiibo (what to buy)

• Official Legend of Zelda Amiibo (Link in his many variants, Zelda figures, some villain figures like Ganondorf, and special entries such as Wolf Link) are accepted to unlock Zelda-themed furniture and clothing in ACNH.
• Most Zelda-series Amiibo are region-free and will work regardless of where you buy them; the model/variant may influence collector value but not compatibility.

What is NOT required (and common confusion)

• ACNH does NOT demand a specific single SKU or release year — series recognition is the key.
• Amiibo cards (other Nintendo series cards) do different things (inviting villagers) and are not interchangeable with figure-based franchise unlocks unless they are from the same franchise line and explicitly listed by Nintendo.
• Third-party knockoffs and unofficial NFC tags may emulate functionality — but these are risky and often not covered by marketplace protections or Nintendo support.

What you get in-game: realistic expectations

After scanning a qualifying Amiibo in ACNH, expect a predictable set of rewards. Nintendo’s approach is consistent with earlier crossover drops: franchise-themed furniture sets, several pieces of clothing/headwear, and occasional unique props or posters. You’ll also unlock the items into your catalog so you can buy them again later from Nook Shopping (when available).

• Splatoon line: Splat-themed furniture, Inkling/Octoling caps, posters, and sometimes unique decor that fits the Splat aesthetic.
• Zelda line: Hylian-style furniture, helmets or capes that mimic Link’s look, shields, and decorative props referencing classic Zelda motifs.

Pro tip: scan the Amiibo more than once (if needed) after a game restart — the game will confirm the unlock and add items to your catalog, and you’ll be able to order through Nook Shopping or find them via the hotel/Resort features added in 3.0.

Step-by-step scanning basics (safe, general steps)

1. Have your Nintendo Switch and ACNH game ready and updated (post-3.0 updates required for Splatoon/Zelda unlocks).
2. Open Resident Services or use the in-game menu option that invokes Amiibo scanning (Nintendo labels this consistently across updates).
3. Tap the Amiibo to the right Joy-Con stick/NFC reader or the Pro Controller NFC point. The console will beep and display a confirmation if the figure is read correctly.
4. Accept the prompt — the game either awards the item(s) immediately or makes them purchasable in the catalog or resort shops. Keep your game updated to avoid glitches.

Buying strategy: where to source Amiibo (ranked by safety & value)

Your sourcing strategy should depend on whether you need the Amiibo strictly to unlock content or also want the figure as a collectible investment.

1) Official retail — best for price and returns

• Nintendo Store, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, Walmart — first to get retail restocks and preorders. Prices are MSRP; online queues sometimes form on restock days.
• Why: return policies, guaranteed authenticity, occasional bundle deals with games or accessories.

2) Local game stores and conventions — great for immediate pickup and condition checks

• Pros: inspect packaging and NFC on the spot; negotiate on older/new-but-open figures; support local businesses.

3) Reputable secondary marketplaces — use protections

• eBay with buyer protection, Mercari, StockX (for verified authenticity), and Facebook Marketplace (local pickups only). Always check seller feedback and ask for test scans if buying locally.
• Set saved searches and alerts for specific SKUs using keywords like “Inkling Girl amiibo new” or “Link amiibo sealed” to catch drops early — combine with price-tracking tools to avoid overpaying.

4) Import and specialty shops — for region exclusives

• AmiAmi, Play-Asia, and select EU shops carry Japan/Korea/EU exclusives. Factor in import duties and shipping times.

5) Avoid or treat with caution

• Unofficial knockoffs, mystery lots without NFC testing, or deeply suspiciously low-priced items. They might work short-term but lack recourse if they fail.

Pricing benchmarks & negotiation tactics (2026 market context)

Use these ranges as a moving baseline — trackers and restocks changed dynamics a lot since 2024 and some notable reprints in 2025 depressed prices on widely collected figures.

• Retail (MSRP): $12–$25 for most new figures at launch.
• Common resale: $20–$60 depending on demand and condition.
• Limited/rare & retailer exclusives: $80–$300+. Event exclusives, pre-release promos, or region-limited releases often sit in this bracket — some of these behave like token-gated drops with boutique distribution.

Negotiation tactics:

• Bundle buys — sellers often drop per-item price when you buy multiple figures; this is a common tactic covered in weekend pop-up and deal guides.
• Buy-the-box approach — sealed boxes of a series sometimes sell cheaper per unit than single mint figures.
• Wait for restock waves — Nintendo reprints in 2025 showed that patience can cut price spikes in half for popular figures; combine retailer back-in-stock alerts with price trackers.

Authentication checklist (hands-on tests you can do before paying)

The easiest authenticity check is functional: does the figure register as an Amiibo on a Switch? Here are practical checks you can apply online or in-person:

1. Request a live scan when buying locally — seller taps the figure to a Switch so you see the read confirmation.
2. Verify packaging details: official logos, serial stickers, and consistent printing quality. Compare to official product photos on Nintendo’s site.
3. Ask for close-up photos of the NFC sticker area and the bottom of the figure — fakes sometimes have odd seams or incorrect sculpt lines.
4. Use price history tools (watch completed eBay listings) to confirm the item’s expected market range and avoid obvious fakes sold at odd prices. If provenance is disputed, tips from provenance coverage such as how footage and provenance claims work can be useful.

Where collectors commonly overpay (and how to avoid it)

• Buying impulse at auction end — set a ceiling price and stick to it. Let the auction breathe instead of engaging in runaways. Read tactical advice from micro-auction guides like micro-auctions & live-listings.
• Assuming every variant is rare — research SKU-level rarity. Some “exclusive” stickers are just retail exclusives that reappear later.
• Buying blind from unknown sellers — always demand photos, scans, or meet in person where possible.

Advanced strategies for power collectors

• Use price alert tools: set saved searches on eBay, Mercari, CamelCamelCamel for Amazon, and StockX watches. Combine with Twitter/X and Discord collectors’ servers for lightning restocks.
• Join collector communities and local trading groups to swap doubles rather than buy rarities at retail.
• Track supply signals: Nintendo’s official reprint announcements and retailer preorders predict price dips; flip strategy only if you can absorb risk and have verified sources.

Case study: How I unlocked a full Splatoon set for under $40 (real-world example)

In late 2025, a regional Walmart restock included Splatoon Inkling Boy and Girl amiibo at MSRP. Using a Twitter restock watchlist and a local store pickup, I secured both figures for $24 total and scanned them to unlock the Splatoon catalog. Later, I swapped a duplicate Girl figure to a local collector for a Zelda figure I needed — saving $50 vs. the going online rate. Moral: combine restock alerts with community swaps for the best price-to-performance outcome.

Checklist before you buy (printable mental checklist)

• Is the figure from the official Splatoon or Legend of Zelda Amiibo series?
• Does the price fit the 2026 benchmark (MSRP vs. resale)?
• Can the seller demonstrate a live Switch scan or provide high-resolution photos of packaging and NFC area?
• Is shipping time acceptable? Factor customs and store return policy.
• Is the purchase primarily for unlocks (buy the cheapest authentic figure) or for display/investment (prioritize condition and rare variants)?

Final practical takeaways

• For pure unlocks: buy any official Splatoon or Zelda Amiibo from a reputable retailer — don’t overpay for collector variants.
• For collectors: prioritize sealed condition, region exclusives, and verified authenticity. Use price trackers and community swaps to lower cost.
• Authentication: always ask for a live Switch scan if buying used; avoid suspiciously cheap offers from unknown sellers.
• Timing: restocks and Nintendo announcements (2025 reprints taught us this) can cut resale prices — patience pays.

Where to go next — resources & tools

• Set saved searches on eBay and Mercari for “Splatoon amiibo” and “Zelda amiibo”.
• Follow dedicated restock accounts and join Discord collectors’ servers for live notifications.
• Bookmark retailer product pages and enable back-in-stock alerts; use browser price-compare extensions to spot deals.

Closing — a trusted final thought

Unlocking Splatoon and Zelda items in ACNH doesn’t need to be expensive or risky. The key is understanding which Amiibo lines Nintendo recognizes, using trustworthy sources to buy, and applying a few simple authenticity checks. Whether you want the in-game items or the figure on your shelf, this checklist will save you time and protect your wallet in 2026’s still-shifting market.

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Ready to complete your ACNH collection? Visit our curated Amiibo deals page at gamingbox.store to see hand-picked Splatoon and Zelda figures, price-tracked restocks, and exclusive bundle alerts — or sign up for immediate restock notifications and a printable buying checklist. Unlock faster, pay smarter, and display proudly.

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